I was just pondering how to do this-- to let anyone who might be interested in the books I read that I'm pulling back from social media. Everything's I was just pondering how to do this-- to let anyone who might be interested in the books I read that I'm pulling back from social media. Everything's fine, but I need a break. I'll be keeping a list, with pen and paper, maybe occasionally here, too, but I want to simplify things and enjoy reading for the words on the page and the people I meet through those words, for it's those words, and those people, that are my meditation, my respite from the craziness of this world. I want less screen time, more page time, and time with those I hold close in real life. I don't want to feel bad when I forget to journal on a book or worry about the author when I give a less than stellar review. I don't want to feel guilty about forgetting to add books to my online shelf. I want to read, unencumbered. So, if I'm here less than you expect (which given my reading rate, even not adding the full count to the read list) know that I'm ok, probably just happily curled up somewhere, with tea and a book. If you need me, I haven't turned off my private messages, just made my account friends only.
Peace on earth, good books to all, and may 2019 bring some well needed miracles.
Meh. Skim read to the end. But it was something to read on a rainy day when there were gale warnings, and flooding. Good thing there's no global warmiMeh. Skim read to the end. But it was something to read on a rainy day when there were gale warnings, and flooding. Good thing there's no global warming....more
A lovely collection of essays, poetry, art, and photography by people who live in and love the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Contributors include manyA lovely collection of essays, poetry, art, and photography by people who live in and love the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Contributors include many friends, and myself....more
I love this series. My favorite part of this was the individual tales of the companions who travelled with Atticus on the journey to Asgard. Quite a dI love this series. My favorite part of this was the individual tales of the companions who travelled with Atticus on the journey to Asgard. Quite a different Thor than the one in Marvel!...more
I normally don't like group novels, but Laine Moriarty does it so well, giving unique, strong personalities to characters, and having just the right tI normally don't like group novels, but Laine Moriarty does it so well, giving unique, strong personalities to characters, and having just the right touch of social issue, and tongue in cheek humor, poking fun at foibles, be they personal or societal. A fun read, though I might think twice about going to a health spa! (Actually more of a 3.5 but can't do half stars on goodreads )....more
Here's an odd thing about this book. We picked it up somewhere, and it's languished on our shelves for a bit. I didn't realize it was part of a seriesHere's an odd thing about this book. We picked it up somewhere, and it's languished on our shelves for a bit. I didn't realize it was part of a series until I was well into the story (though I suspected, because there were references to past happenings that I was clueless about.) So, I went online to read more about the book. Yes indeed, it is book 6 in the Borderland series (which made me think of Borderland Books in San Francisco, and I now wonder if it's in any way related. But what surprised me the most, was that book 7.2 in the series (at least according to Goodreads) was written by John M Ford, who I knew as Mike Ford. He was an amazing writer, wandering between genres, and nailing it every time, which was great, but made it hard to market him. Fans often want same/same. I met Mike through Jim Rigney, aka Robert Jordan, who was also a friend (breaks my heart that both these larger than life, astonishing men are gone, each far too soon.) Mike's contribution to the series is The Last Hot Time, which was published in 2000. He told us that it was originally a video game script he'd written, but it wasn't accepted, so he turned it into a book. But, it's based in Borderland, and predated the game, so I guess eventually whomever was wanting a script found one they liked. So I've spent the day reading a book and remembering a friend, all of which is pretty cool. Yay!...more
A mystery inside a mystery, with lost pages to a manuscript of a recently deceased popular who-done-it series author. As his editor sets out to find tA mystery inside a mystery, with lost pages to a manuscript of a recently deceased popular who-done-it series author. As his editor sets out to find the lost pages, the circumstances of her author's death become clues to understanding his own death. Was it murder? My first Anthony Horowitz and I really enjoyed it. I only wish the Atticus Punt series existed, because I think I would have enjoyed reading more of this Holocaust survivor- turned private investigator's exploits.
This was recommended to me by my 97 year old neighbor....more
A friend recently gifted me with all 22 books in this series, a favorite of hers and her entire family. I like the premise, but will need to read anotA friend recently gifted me with all 22 books in this series, a favorite of hers and her entire family. I like the premise, but will need to read another one or two to see if the series, for me, is worth pursuing. The problem is, I have read other books and manuscripts on this premise that I have truly adored, and while this is engaging, the writing didn't sweep me away as those have. But, as I said, I'm willing to give the series at least one more book, if not two....more
I used to love reading advice columns in papers and magazines. I once found a stack of ladies magazines from the 40's and of course went to the adviceI used to love reading advice columns in papers and magazines. I once found a stack of ladies magazines from the 40's and of course went to the advice column right off. Apparently, the same thing happened to AJ Pearce, with a stack of ladies journals from WWII. Those were the inspirations for this book, and some of the letters are the basis of letters used in the book. Dear Mrs Bird was an enjoyable romp back in history, in a refreshingly different vein from the plethora of WWI books flooding the market of late....more
In all fairness, this is a book about three women (one in particular) who had an enormous influence on me, written and edited by two more women, who IIn all fairness, this is a book about three women (one in particular) who had an enormous influence on me, written and edited by two more women, who I have the great honor to call friend. I'm not exactly unbiased here.
Cathy Hass Riley has graciously opened up her private thoughts and writings to allow readers a glimpse of life with Elizabeth Chapin Patterson, Kitty Davy, and Margaret Craske, women who left their lives in the west to follow the Spiritual Master Meher Baba. Elizabeth eventually returned to the US, where, under Baba's directive, she and Princess Norina Machabelli found the land that would become the Meher Center, a retreat for rest, meditation, and renewal of the spiritual life in Myrtle Beach, SC. Later, joined by British-born Kitty, Elizabeth continued to run the center. Margaret, who was at that time dancing and teaching ballet in New York, would come and stay at Dilruba, Elizabeth's home near the Center. As the women aged, a group of younger women helped them out at Dilruba. Cathy, and her editor Lois Breger, were a major portion of that group.
At one point in my life, I was fortunate enough to be able to assist Kitty in some small ways over several years, and to accompany her on a trip to India. Interestingly enough (and kind of humbling), the times I was of service to her were the times Cathy was away, so there's absolutely no mention of any of it at all in the book. My story is small, but Cathy's service covered years, and it's a privilege to be able to walk with her, through her written words, to learn the art and grace of service to others, as well as gain glimpses into the life, experience, and memories of three women who devoted their lives to Meher Baba.
Thank you, Cathy, for bringing back dear Kitty so vividly. I have read this book slowly so as to savor your words, and open up that vault of my own experiences, to re-examine, learn, and grow from them, as I have from your sharing of your days at Dilruba. It’s somehow not surprising that these three women continue to advise and teach, through your stories, though they’ve been gone from us so long.
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